Paralympian opens cathedral shop

Paralympian praises better cathedral access

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson opens a new shop and a lift at Durham Cathedral. Credit: Durham Cathedral

The multi-medal winning Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has officially opened a new shop, and better access for people with disabilities at Durham Cathedral.

The new shop is opposite the popular Undercroft Restaurant, with both the restaurant and the shop accessed from the new Foyer.

The steps into the Undercroft have been remodelled making space for a new platform lift. Visitors who are not able to manage steps will no longer have to find their way by leaving the Cloister and going a long way round.

Baroness Grey-Thompson said: “Making historic buildings such as Durham Cathedral accessible, in particular providing access for visitors with different needs to the shop, restaurant and toilets is important.

"I have experience as a Mum, with my own family, of not being able to easily access such important areas on visits to historic buildings. It is obvious that a huge amount of thought has gone into this development and it is an open, welcoming and absolutely stunning space.”